The Know Daily - Tuesday 13 January 2026

_{Read in 4m 22s ∙ Listening to Alex Warren ∙}

Nepal has just delivered hopeful news for its iconic snow leopards 🐆 A first-ever nationwide survey, using camera traps and DNA, estimates around 397 of these elusive cats across the country – giving the clearest picture yet of their numbers and showing that years of conservation work are really paying off. 

✈️ 2026 travel trends

From AI-powered hotels to fantasy retreats and nostalgic getaways, more travellers in 2026 are predicted to ditch cookie-cutter itineraries for customised trips.

Tell me more.
Next year, travellers may not be chasing the most impressive destination, but choosing what feels most useful, restorative or meaningful right now. According to multiple trend forecasts, trips are set to become ultra-personalised, built around interests and emotional states. Let’s break down some of the more unusual trends predicted to take off (pun intended!) next year:

Farm charm
Travellers are increasingly drawn to working farms, rural retreats and agritourism experiences that offer simplicity, routine and reconnection with nature. Feeding animals, harvesting produce, learning traditional skills – these trips offer grounding over glamour. They sit neatly alongside other slow-travel trends like “hushed hobbies” that focus on quiet moments in nature, such as foraging, fishing and bird watching.

Glow-cations
80% of the 29k travellers surveyed by Booking.com are open to booking trips designed around skin-specific treatments, tailored to their personal needs. It’s an expansion of the boom in wellness travel in recent years, with yoga and meditation retreats continuing to draw people away from the fast pace of everyday life.

Romantasy retreats
Over half said they would take a trip inspired by fantasy books, films or games. These include visiting real-world filming locations or places that just have fantasy vibes, like Bavaria in Germany. Expedia reports that 81% of Gen Z and Millennials now plan their holidays based on TV and film influences, a trend known as set-jetting.

Humanoid hotels
Hotels and rentals enhanced with robots, AI systems and smart tech are also becoming popular. Over three-quarters of travellers said they’re open to futuristic accommodation with bots to help with cleaning, cooking and even pouring your favourite drink. For some it’s curiosity, for others convenience, but all of it reflects how tech is making travel feel more bespoke.

Shelf-ie souvenirs
Instead of fridge magnets, more travellers want edible local treats, artisan kitchenware or pantry items that turn everyday shelves into cultural showcases. 55% said they’d even travel to a destination known specifically for its local artisanal products. Many also said food-first souvenirs evoke memories from their holiday and that they appreciate these cultural mementos for their local craftsmanship.

Turbulence test
No we’re not talking about flights, but taking a trip with a new partner, friend or colleague specifically to see how well you click. Around two-thirds globally are into this idea (especially Gen Z at 81%), and are looking for creative ways to push comfort zones, like sharing a tiny camper van for a weekend, tackling a multi-day hike together, or navigating a foreign city with no itinerary – all to see how well they handle real-world challenges as a team.

Past ports
Nostalgic getaways let you step into your family’s history like never before. Using image searches to locate the exact spots from old photos, travellers can recreate scenes from the past. Two-thirds said they’re already considering this, whether to reconnect with the people in the photos or to match the fashion of the original moment.

Isn’t this all a bit niche?
Maybe, but that’s exactly the point. Travel is becoming less standardised and more personal, shaped by individual interests rather than mass appeal. While these trends aren’t for everyone, data shows a growing desire for simplicity – quiet hobbies, nearby road trips, low-key weekend getaways for celebrations, and meaningful moments that aren’t excessive. Travel in 2026 isn’t about chasing every trend but picking the one small shift that makes time away feel right for you.

🗳️ Former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK, becoming the most senior ex-Tory to join Nigel Farage’s party so far.

• The bigger story: Zahawi said he believes the country needs political change and that he shares responsibility for past Conservative decisions. His move strengthens Reform’s profile as it seeks to attract support from other key figures ahead of upcoming elections. The Conservatives have played down the defection, while opposition parties said it reflects growing divisions on the right of British politics.

🩷 Mattel has unveiled its first autistic Barbie, featuring sensory-friendly accessories and details aimed at representing neurodiversity.

📱 Ofcom – the UK’s media watchdog – has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over the use of the Grok AI tool to create inappropriate images.

🤝 India could sign a landmark free trade agreement with the EU by the end of January, Germany’s Chancellor has hinted. 

🏛️ A Roman villa has been discovered in Wales and is now being referred to by archaeologists as “Port Talbot’s Pompeii”.

👁️ Doctors say they have “achieved the impossible” by restoring sight and preventing blindness in people with a rare eye condition.

👖 Londoners have braved the cold by taking part in the annual No Trousers Tube Ride. The pics are priceless 🤭

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Trivia answer: B) Earning $298m, The Weeknd topped the list, followed by the team’s fave Taylor at $202m.

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